Siem de Jong says he can be Newcastle’s surprise signing of the summer after returning from 12 months of injury hell.

The Holland international, who is still only 26, arrived at St James’ Park in a £6million move from Ajax last June.

However, he suffered a torn thigh muscle in the autumn and required surgery, only to return and be diagnosed with a collapsed lung for the second time in his career in February.

Siem de Jong captained Newcastle and scored as he played 90 minutes against Northampton on Tuesday

De Jong wheels away in celebration after firing Newcastle into a two-goal lead at St James' Park

De Jong has started only once in the Premier League for the Magpies but the playmaker came through 90 minutes and scored during Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Northampton in the League Cup.

And he is now targeting a fresh start under Steve McClaren.

‘I feel like a new signing a little bit,’ said De Jong. ‘But this (with the new manager) is a new start for everybody and we are all positive. For me, last year was the toughest of my career. The year before with Ajax I had a few injuries but last year I only played three or four games. Before that I played 50 games a season. So it was a really strange year.

Share this article

Share

106 shares

‘Tuesday was only my second 90 minutes for Newcastle in a year, even including pre-season. It has been a while since I have played 90 minutes so it was good for me. I need the games. I want to get in as many games as possible to try and get my rhythm back again and Northampton was a good start.’

De Jong admits the past year has been as much a mental test as it has physical, especially as he arrived with such a big reputation.

The Dutch midfielder is congratulated by his team-mates after scoring the second in a 4-1 League Cup win

‘You have to move on but especially after the second collapsed lung it was difficult,’ he added. ‘I had just got back and felt really strong and then it happened again. I was pretty down for the first couple of weeks but I had to get back and fit again.

‘It was disappointing for myself then for the club, my team-mates and the people watching.

‘It is a new club and you hope to start off well. I think I started well in pre-season but then it ended almost straight away. It was difficult but I couldn’t really help it.

‘But now it is a new start and I am only looking forward.’

De Jong, who was plagued by injuries last season, says he feels like a new signing

Advertisement

Share or comment on this article:

Siem de Jong says he feels 'like a new signing' as Newcastle midfielder looks to put last season's injury hell behind him